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Jack Beckman Aims for Another Big Win at Brainerd
Highlights
- Jack Beckman returns to Brainerd Nationals, August 20-23, 2026.
- Beckman previously won at Brainerd in 2018 and qualified No.1 four times.
- Returned to Funny Car racing after 3.5 years away from nitro cars.
- Currently 38 points behind leader with two regular-season races remaining.
- Crew chiefs Tim Fabrisi and Dan Hood improved car’s tuning window.
- Qualifying Friday-Saturday; eliminations Sunday; live coverage on FS1.
Jack Beckman returns to Brainerd International Raceway for the NHRA Brainerd Nationals on August 20-23, targeting points and momentum as he chases a 38-point deficit with two events left.
His Brainerd record is robust: victory in 2018, runner-up finishes in 2008 and 2010, and four No.1 qualifiers, the latest arriving during last season’s campaign.
Beckman sits 38 points off the lead with two regular-season races remaining.
His resurgence traces to the 2024 Brainerd comeback, stepping into John Force’s PEAK Chevrolet after Force’s crash. That return two years ago followed license re-qualification at Norwalk.
Beckman admits the readjustment is visceral: “It’s like riding a terrifyingly fast fire-breathing monster.” He qualified sixth on that return and embraced pressure over inactivity.
Since that restart, crew chiefs Tim Fabrisi and Dan Hood reworked the bellhousing approach, broadening the car’s tuning window and improving repeatability across changing track and weather conditions.
“Dan and Tim call it right, and the PEAK squad builds the car well each run,” Beckman says.
Early, razor-thin first-round exits in Gainesville and Phoenix stalled progress, but execution has tightened. The package now delivers a baseline Beckman trusts, sharpening race-day decision making and launches.
The task in Minnesota is simple: maximise each lap, protect lane choice, and capitalise on opponents’ errors. With consistency restored, his title push gains credibility into the Countdown.
Four No.1 qualifiers at Brainerd underline Beckman’s one-lap speed.
Fans can meet Beckman at Friday afternoon and Saturday morning autograph sessions. Qualifying runs twice Friday and twice Saturday, before Sunday eliminations.
FS1 airs evening qualifying on Friday and Saturday, and televises Sunday evening finals.
Elsewhere, the Brainerd bill features the Kalitta Air Brainerd debut and Dubbin’s Brainerd victory shaping the weekend’s form guide.
Visual Summary
Jack Beckman’s Brainerd Comeback
From elevator shafts to Funny Car blasts: Back in the hot seat
2008
Runner-Up
2010
Runner-Up
2018
🏆 Winner
4x
#1 Qualifier
2024
Comeback
🏁
Only 38 points from the lead with 2 rounds to go!
2
1
Can Beckman overtake the points leader in Brainerd?
🔥
“People say it’s like riding a bike. For me, it’s like riding a terrifyingly fast fire-breathing monster.”
— Jack Beckman, on returning to the cockpit
Qualifying: Fri & Sat
Eliminations: Sun AM
FS1: Live Coverage
Autographs: Fri/Sat
Nicholas Rivera delivers NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car news, including eliminator-round results and reaction-time stats. He brings track-side interviews, contender profiles, and championship-point breakdowns straight from drag-racing’s biggest national events.
